Put out the welcome mat

Posted Wednesday, December 15, 2010, at 8:50 AM

We finally got one!

After repeated disappointments in attempting to acquire additional missions for Mountain Home Air Force Base, the Air Force has decided we're probably the best place to locate a training squadron of the Royal Saudi Air Force.

That will give us four squadrons on base -- two operational combat squadrons from the USAF, and two training squadrons, one from the Republic of Singapore Air Force and one from the Royal Saudi Air Force. That's still down from the five-squadron days of the composite wing in the 1990s, but it will help -- a lot.

The construction alone will help generate a lot of jobs locally, and we desperately need that. Plus, the Saudis will be buying and renting houses and shopping locally. We need that, too.

If the Air Force expedites the full National Environmental Policy Act process -- scoping meetings, a draft Environmental Impact Statement, public comment periods and meetings and a final EIS -- then a formal Record of Decision could come as early as next year. We think the Air Force is inclined to move the process along as quickly as possible. This strategic partnership with an ally in the Middle East is too important to delay.

But until that final Record of Decision is announced, it is not a done deal. That's why we need to generate broad community support for this deal.

What we don't need are a bunch of irrational people, who've succumbed to blind anti-Muslim hysteria, to get in the way. Believe me, the Saudi government will be reading the blogs, where anonymous "electronic graffiti artists" have been venting their hate-filled spleens. We do not believe now, or on any issue in the past, these people are representative of our general population. But they don't help.

Nor do clowns like Glenn Beck, when, without any fact checking at all (what a surprise), he announces that ten percent of all Muslims in the world are terrorists. With nearly two billion Muslims in the world, almost a third of the world's population, that statement is patently ridiculous on its face. The fact that people believe it is sad.

In fact, al-Queda is estimated to have about 30,000 supporters world wide (and support varies from suicide bombers to those who just sent in money to help them). That doesn't count another 30,000 Taliban fighters, who should be included in the total of terrorists. Add in the active members of Hamas and Hezbollah, whose target is pretty much exclusively Israel, and you might, if you're lucky, crack 100,000 active supporters of terrorism worldwide (a far cry from Beck's 200 million).

There are a couple rogue governments who support these groups. Most do not. In fact, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia (the world's largest Muslim nation) today are among the most aggressive in trying to stamp out terrorism. They are among the leaders in providing intelligence and other forms of support to the United States in the highly nebulous and shadowy "war on terrorism."

Time and time again we have stressed the difference between terrorists and the religions they claim to represent (the carnage in Northern Ireland during the 20th century would be a good example of terrorists who clearly didn't represent the majority of the world's Catholics and Protestants). Like most Christians, most Muslims believe their religion is one of peace. They're no happier with the terrorists than anybody else. Automatically linking terrorism to all Muslims is just flat wrong -- on so many levels.

Furthermore, every one of the Saudi troops who come here will have been fully vetted by both the Saudi government and the United States. We'll be getting some of their very best representatives. Any fear that they might be anything else would be totally groundless.

Let's not let the hatemongers get in the way of helping the United States and the U.S. Air Force forge an important strategic partnership with a key ally and influential player in the Middle East. Everyone, not just Mountain Home, will benefit from this deal.

When the public comment hearings begin, we hope the vast majority of intelligent, reasonable citizens that we have here will show up in force to overwhelm that small minority of narrow-minded individuals who cannot see how valuable this basing arrangement would be.

We fully support the Air Force in its efforts to bring the Saudi squadron here.

Since, according to your editorial, anything detrimental I say about this will be nothing more than the ramblings of an "anonymous electronic graffiti artist venting his hate filled spleen", I guess I'll just save it for the public scoping meetings. I'll bring along copies of my official military records that show how much time I spent working with and training some of the exact same folks that are going to be a part of this effort. Then you can tell us about your vast firsthand experience dealing with these same folks and why I'm "narrow minded, "irrational" and a "hatemonger". I recommend all the other folks in the community that have been over there and worked with them do the same.

-- Posted by Northside on Wed, Dec 15, 2010, at 11:43 AM

Shopping locally, where at Walmart? what a joke.

-- Posted by shockwave on Wed, Dec 15, 2010, at 1:56 PM

According to the base website they already have four fighter squadrons: "The wing is home to four fighter squadrons: the 389th Fighter Squadron, 390th Fighter Squadron, 391st Fighter Squadron and a Republic of Singapore 428th Fighter Squadron."

As an aside, you don't have to fly jets to be considered a squadron. Yes the four existing fighter squadrons I referred to fly jets, as would the Saudi squadron. However, there a number of other squadrons on base that don't fly jets. There are at least 20 other squadrons on base.

Who checked your "facts"?

-- Posted by VicVega on Wed, Dec 15, 2010, at 3:10 PM

I have worked with Saudis before, as well as several other Middle Eastern/Islamic people. Many of the countries I was in, I found the people friendly and interesting and while their culture was different, we had mutual respect and tolerance. That does not happen with the Saudis.

Remember how you were bought when your wife, parents, children or friends are killed or injured in car accidents caused by Saudis driving drunk/stoned or just unsafely in winter weather. You will probably not even have the satisfication of seeing them prosecuted, because they will be sent home, where they won't be prosecuted for what they see as an accident and Allah's will.

Remember all the money the Saudis spend when we have more drug dealers on the streets and prostitution becomes a problem.

Remember, the Saudis will believe that they bought this town and will treat us, the locals, as if they own us.

No amount of money or economic boost is worth these kinds of problems or this kind of treatment. I am surprised at how quickly the Saudis were able to buy into the local media.

And don't compare them to the Royal Singapore Air Force Squadron that is already here - Singapore has an entirely different culture than Saudi Arabia. I am glad the Singapore Air Force has a squadron here - they are good for our community and are welcome.

-- Posted by Homesteader on Wed, Dec 15, 2010, at 3:35 PM

its a good thing we all still have the right to bears arms baby.

-- Posted by shockwave on Wed, Dec 15, 2010, at 3:40 PM

It says in the paper Air Force names Mountain Home as its Preferred "ALTERNATIVE" That doesn't mean it's a sure thing. It means another base is the Preferred base.......Get it??

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Wed, Dec 15, 2010, at 5:29 PM

I DONT KNOW WERE TO START.....IS HATE SOMETHING YOU JUST HAVE TO HAVE??????????

1- the attack on pearl harbor was a class project at WEST POINT it was done with exchange students from japan.IT WAS also a known precuser to any war in the pacific.WITH THAT SAID..... WE HELPED TO PLAN THE ATTACK...THE FACT that it came without a declaration of WAR....WAS THE CRIME OF ITS TIME.

CHRISTIANS HAVE ELIMINATED PEOPLE TO SAVE THEM.............SAY WHAT??????????BEHEADINGS.....WE HAVE DONE THAT........BURN THEM AT THE STAKE...........WE HAVE DONE THAT..........CASTRATE.............WE HAVE DONE THAT........YOU NAME IT WE HAVE DONE IT........ASK OTHER AMERICANS

THE implication THAT they have bought our newspaper, you think maybe thats what you would like to believe because the editorial doesnt say what you want it to......THE SAUDIES have provided very meaningfull help in this garbage conflict and as such they are allies.......northside says HE was not comfortable after 9/11.......well guess what im sure some people wernt made to feel comfortable here either......or is comfort a one way street ??????????? I believe if some of you had your way you would have INTERNMENT CAMPS AGAIN

is that what you want????????? SO WHO ARE YOU GOING TO START WITH???????????when you come for me BRING PLENTY OF HELP.......special forces trained me well..........THE BIGOTRY IS OVERWHELMING.........AND THIS IS MY COUNTRYMEN.....YOU OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED

-- Posted by lamont on Wed, Dec 15, 2010, at 9:20 PM

I DIDNT CALL YOU ANYTHING....IF THATS WHAT YOU BELIEVE SO BE IT

1- NO LAWS HAVE BEEN CHANGED

2- EVERY COUNTRY IN THE WESTERN WORLD HAS HAD A 9/11

3- YOU HAVE TO HAVE SOMEONE THREATENED BY BODILY HARM FOR VOTER INTIMADATION,(lynching.burn your house down.beating remember those)YOU CAN STAND WERE YOU WANT ALL YOU WANT.DIDNT KNOW THAT WAS AGAINST THE LAW

4- WE DIDNT HAVE OUR EYE ON ANY PRIZE, AS CITEZENS WE ONLY ASKED TO BE TREATED THE SAME AS ,AND THAT HASNT HAPPENED YET.......

5-EVERYTHING THAT PEOPLE HEAR IS NOT THE TRUTH ie TAPES AT ACORN,FALSFIED AND SELF CREATED AND YET PEOPLE RAN WITH IT......KANGAROO COURT....HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF THAT WAS YOU?????

6- I DONT STAND ON THE SIDELINES BUT I DO LOOK BEFORE I LEAP......AND IF YOU GO LOOK AT YOUR REHETORIC ZOOK YOU WOULD UBDERSTAND WHY I SAID WHAT I SAID.HISTORY SAYS WHEN PEOPLE TALK WHAT YOU TALK THEY START WITH ONE GROUP AND THEN SYSTEMACILY MOVE TO OTHERS AS THEY FEEL EMBOLDENED.DONT TELL ME ABOUT WHAT I SHOULD BE GRATEFULL FOR,DONT TRY TO TELL ME WHO OR WHAT I SUPPORT,I DONT KNOW WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT BUSH AND I REALLY DONT CARE..... SOUNDS TO ME LIKE THE MILITIA THAT PREACHES SEDETION AND TREASON, THATS WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE AND YES I FIND IT OFFENSIVE, ESPECIALLY WHEN ITS DONE UNDER THE BANNER OF PATRIOTISM.YOU DONT KNOW WETHER IM A DEMOCRATE,A LIBERAL,A REPUBLICAN,OR A RIGHTEST, SO STOP POINTING FINGERS, YOU GO OFF ON ANYONE WHO DISAGREES WITH YOU OR DOESNT HEAR THINGS THE WAY YOU DO

7- PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SINGING GOD BLESS AMERICA ALWAYS.

NOTHING NEW THERE ,PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE NOTHING NEW . WHATS THE BIG DEAL????? 3 YRS AGO WE DID( WHATS GOING ON) GOT A STANDING OVATION. PEOPLE HAVNT CHANGED THEY BELIEVE IN THE BASICS ALL OF US....YOU NEED A CAUSE THAT INVOLVES VIOLENCE AND PUTTING SOMEONE IN THERE PLACE WHY???????? HOW ABOUT THIS.... FIGHT FOR THE ONES WHO CANT DEFEND THEMSELFES

8- WHAT IS POLITCAL CORRECTNESS????? WHAT DOES THAT MEAN??????? COULD IT POSSIBLY MEAN THAT....... YOU DONT DEMEAN PEOPLE IN WORD AND DEED.

9- DONT TELL ME THE RIGHT IS FOR EVERYONE IT IS NOT AND YOU KNOW IT.....YOU DONT LIKE DEVERSITY DO YOU?????????? why????????

10 one last thing you dont know wether i am and arab supporter or not.....that is the kind of statement that tells people were you at.I support my country, and remain true to the oath i took and you nor anyone else will ever be able to question that......sacrifice you have no idea

DID THE SONG AFTER I SAID ITS TIME TO BRING OUR KIDS HOME.......get the record and listen to the words.....whats going on marvin gaye....he recorded it for US

-- Posted by lamont on Thu, Dec 16, 2010, at 9:39 AM

Lamont,

The only person I have seen use the word 'hate' in these comments is you.

What I said was I don't want a large number of Saudis to come into our small town and the problems they will bring.

Perhaps you didn't read the articles about the Saudi royalty and their parties with prostitutes, alcohol and drugs. By the way the original information is from WikiLeaks. Here's a link. There are many others. Nothing about any other Middle Eastern nationalities, just Saudis.

Where do you get your facts sir? Just curious. Here is just a little bit of info for ya that is easily found on numerous websites and some various reading. Saudi Arabia allows Christians to enter the country as foreign workers for temporary work, but does not allow them to practice their faith openly, because of that Christians generally only worship in secret within private homes. Items and articles belonging to religions other than Islam are prohibited. These include Bibles, crucifixes, statues, carvings, items with religious symbols, and others. I guess I am curious as to what the benefits, if any, are going to be by bringing "another" foreign government here??? As far as the number of terrorists in the world, I think you should take a good look at a timeline of terrorist events that have occured in Saudi Arabia. One more thing for you to consider sir, Mecca is located in Saudi Arabia. Mecca is the holiest ground in Islam and the birthplace of Mohammed. Just based on this fact alone, I would venture to say that Saudi Arabia has a terrorist population. I would like to see you spend a few hours reading about Saudis role in Islamic terrorism then rewrite your article. Ever heard of Khobar towers???

-- Posted by bloodyknuckles on Thu, Dec 16, 2010, at 11:09 AM

I'm sure that Kelly put the same amount of thought into the following editorial as he did this one. Whats that thing that reporters use to do??????? Investigate? Wouldn't it have been nice to have an investigative reporter to look into AEHI rather than just a rubber stamp?

NO I DONT SUPPORT RACIST COMMENTS FROM ANY GROUP DIRECTED AT ANY GROUP .....I HAVE FOUGHT THAT ALL MY LIFE......PEOPLE OF COLOUR ARE THE ONES MOST EASILY PROFILED BUT THEY DO NOT HAVE A MONOPLY ON THAT KIND OF TREATMENT....DEPENDING ON YOUR FRAME OF REFERENCE .......YOU COULD GET PROFILED FOR....LONG HAIR.TATOO,S,RIDING A MOTORCYCLE,

DRIVING A CERTAIN TYPE OF CAR, AND I COULD GO ON.

I DIDNT SAY ANYONE SAID THE WORD HATE HOWEVER THE WORDS SAID AND HOW THERE SAID SAY IT ALL.

THE problems they will bring,after 28yrs i can tell you a soldier is a soldier is a soldier.IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR THE TYPE OF PROBLEMS YOU ARE IMPLYING YOU WILL FIND THEM. WHAT happened to innocent till proven guilty?????

I STATED BEFORE OUR HOUSE OUR RULES,NO DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY.......WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT?

IT is no secret that most of the 9/11 people were saudi born and BEN LADEN is saudi born....does that condemm EVERY saudi???????? I THINK NOT........i keep hearing condemnation with words i am very FAMILAR WITH

Drugs,prostition,rape,drunkeness,sounds like a soldier to me......no matter what nation

CANTJUSTWATCH......racism and profiling are insidious crimes against people that should NEVER HAPPEN,THEY USUALLY GO HAND AND HAND......I DONT CARE IF YOUR WHITE ,BLACK,BLUE OR ORANGE,NOBODY SHOULD SUFFER THAT TREATMENT....IT IS SO DANGEROUS TO EVERYONE THAT IT SHOULD BE FEARED......I TAUGHT THE SUBJECT FOR A LONG TIME BELIEVE ME IT GETS PEOPLE KILLED NEEDLESSLY.......TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND HAVE A GREAT DAY........THIS IS AMERICA

-- Posted by lamont on Thu, Dec 16, 2010, at 6:26 PM

Get off the cross, Lamont. Somebody else needs the wood.

-- Posted by junkyard dog on Thu, Dec 16, 2010, at 6:54 PM

IF YOU DONT LIKE MY ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS THEN HAVE THE CURTISY TO SAY WHY.......BESIDES THAT ITS MY CROSS............. A CHRISTIAN ONE AT THAT

-- Posted by lamont on Thu, Dec 16, 2010, at 8:49 PM

I do not have an opinion on whether we have Saudi's or not... but, Kelly you pushed the limit with your closing statement......"When the public comment hearings begin, we hope the vast majority of intelligent, reasonable citizens that we have here will show up in force to overwhelm that small minority of narrow-minded individuals who cannot see how valuable this basing arrangement would be."

Could you define who those are in the vast majority of intelligent, reasonable citizen? I would really like to hear who you feel those are... those who feel exactly like you!!!! So if I don't like Canon cameras and you do, I would not be included in our vast majority of intelligent, reasonable citizens.

I am just trying to wrap my mind around all the elements involved. Like I said I did not have an opinion until you started the if you don't agree with me you are narrow minded...that you call the minority. Wow what a way to sell papers by calling a segment of your audience names (narrow minded)... you may be the only newspaper in town and you may have the power to express your opinion and call others names in print but in the end, you are one man with pen, easily replaced with another man with a pen. Your ego has gone a bit to far... insulting your audience, all because they don't agree with you. As a journalist, I would have thought you could have made your point without name calling.... appalling. I hope you are sure that your opinions are that of your owner, for I call for all you "small minority of narrow-minded individuals" to contact Rust Communications,and express your opinion of this editorial.

I DO THE SAME AND I CAN TELL YOU I HAVE ONLY BEEN ON THIS BLOG APPROX 4 MONTHS I WOULD HAVE TO CALL TO FIND OUT EXACTLY WHEN ....YOU CAN BELIEVE THAT IF YOU WANT IF YOU DONT WANT THAT IS OK.........DID I TELL YOU I WOULD CONDONE THE TREATMENT YOU DESCRIBE.....NO I DIDNT AND I WOULDNT........ALSO YOU BEEN READING AND WATCHING TO MUCH FICTION.........THERE ARE POCKETS IN ALL AREAS I WILL NOT DENY THAT. DONT TELL ME ABOUT RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW......YOU DONT LIVE IT I DO DAILY. YOU CAN SAY WHAT YOU WANT UNTIL YOU HAVE TO LIVE IT YOU HAVE NO IDEA THE STRESS ,ANGER,HUMILTY.DO YOU LIVE WITH THAT EVERY DAY OF YOUR LIFE???????

SAME AS WOULD BE THAT MY SON MAKES THE SAME MONEY AS HIS WHITE COUNTERPART WITH THE SAME EXPERIENCE AND DEGREE ......HOW ABOUT STARTING WITH THAT........HOW ABOUT THE FACT THAT MORE MINORITYS ARE OUT OF WORK WHO HAVE DEGREES THAN WHITES......HOW ABOUT A PROVEN FACT THAT MINORITYS GET GREATER JAIL SENTENCES THAN THERE WHITE COUNTERPARTS FOR THE SAME CRIME.......I LIVED THE CIVL RIGHTS ERA AND IT STILL EXIST.......YOU MAY BE NOBLE I DONT KNOW......BUT YOU CANT CHALLENGE WERE IV BEEN....AND THIS IS TODAY.......BUT WE HAD SNOWMEN BUILT AS KKK PEOPLE LAST WEEK HOW ABOUT THAT??????????? BUT I GUESS THAT WAS AND ACCIDENT

HERE is whats within,FAMILY,NAMM BROTHERS,COUNTRY,HOME , AND TOWN. I WILL REACH OUT TO ANYONE AND HAVE BEEN RIPED OFF BY EVERYONE. THIEFS ARE NOT RACIST THERE TOTALLY INTERGRATED.

NOW back to this person who wrote this racist blog my wife just reminded me we saw that on facebook . i think i answered that one there or sent them a message.....we dont need people like that and she hasnt lived long enough to know what shes talking about,she needs to go back to werever she came from or her parents need to get her head squared away........ WHAT YOU JUST DID WAS QUESTION MY INTEGRITY........IF I HAD SEEN THAT ON THIS BLOG I WOULD HAVE ANSWERED IT.......YOU ASSUMED THAT I WOULD CONDONE IT AND YOU CALLED ME A LIAR BEFORE YOU ASKED THE QUESTION......WHAT WOULD YOU CALL THAT????????? ILL LET YOU ANSWERE BECAUSE I KNOW WHAT I WOULD CALL IT..........FEEL FREE......I SERVED SO YOU COULD CALL ME A LIAR,LOOK IN THE MIRROR

-- Posted by lamont on Thu, Dec 16, 2010, at 11:59 PM

A response from Kelly would be nice wouldnt it???? Hello? Hellooooooo????

@KELLY, YOUR opinion is the majority? Think again pal, you just completly lost any respect I ever had for you. Calling we, the concerned MH residents names because we don't agree with you and want to sell out to anyone and everyone. I can't believe you are still the Editor of this rag you call a paper, I thought Editors were supposed to be unbiased and fair. You need to retire Dude!

-- Posted by Moanah on Fri, Dec 17, 2010, at 6:13 PM

@WORKINGBEE, thanks for the link for the owner of this paper, I will be calling and writing. It's past time Kelly gets replaced with an attitude like his.

You are a quibbler. Questions are not answered by asking questions...go to Marathon and get some cheese to serve with your whine.

-- Posted by junkyard dog on Fri, Dec 17, 2010, at 6:51 PM

ZOOK....... IN THE BIO AT THE END THERE IS AN E MAIL ADDRESS I GET IT ILL SEND YOU A #

ANSWERS ARE WITHIN YOURSELF.I HAVE SOLUTIONS AS I SEE THEM YOU MAY NOT SEE THEM THAT WAY......AND NOBODY WHO KNOWS ME THINKS I QUIBBLE IF YOU WANT ABSOLUTES YOU ARE TALKING TO THE WRONG PERSON......I DONT BELIEVE THERE ARE ANY AND THAT INCLUDES DEATH..........YOU DONT LIKE WHAT I HAVE TO SAY ITS OK I HAVNT TOLD A LIE THATS FOR SURE.....I HAVE HAD A GOOD LIFE BUT IT DIDNT HAVE TO BE AS HARD THAT I KNOW......EMOTIONS YES THE LAST 3 DAYS OF BLOGS HAVE SHAKEN ME .....WHAT I HAVE READ I THOUGHT WAS GONE......ITS NOT.......JUST A NEW TARGET.....WHAT A SHAME......YES EMOTIONAL YOU HAVE KNOW IDEA

-- Posted by lamont on Fri, Dec 17, 2010, at 11:28 PM

Lamont

Are you Carl? Oh by the way I have had your band as a friend on My Space for a couple years now. lol !

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Sat, Dec 18, 2010, at 10:24 AM

Wow there are some crazy comments on this. I would also like to know when the public comment hearing, is going to be. And where is Kelly? He hasent said one word about this since the blog you know he has to be reading all the comments. I say if it is so important to train them do it on there land, or just not at all.

-- Posted by shockwave on Sat, Dec 18, 2010, at 11:13 AM

If it walks like a duck...looks like a duck...well, you know the rest. I agree with Bazooka. Why fight these terrorists if WE are going to train them. Just open all borders, do away with TSA and border patrols and have a 100% open door policy. Why waste any further tax dollars on any of this crap?

-- Posted by OpinionMissy on Sat, Dec 18, 2010, at 10:05 PM

my last post was for junkyard not you zook anyhow for missM the answere is what do you think (smile)

-- Posted by lamont on Sun, Dec 19, 2010, at 10:15 AM

lamont

I always suspected you to be him.... lol !

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Sun, Dec 19, 2010, at 10:52 AM

Kelly,

SACK UP AND RESPOND!!!!!!! BETTER YET, JUST DELETE THIS COLUMN ALL TOGETHER AND PRETEND LIKE IT NEVER HAPPENED!!

-- Posted by bloodyknuckles on Sun, Dec 19, 2010, at 2:43 PM

I had been thinking for quite some time that I knew who lamont was but didn't know for certain until this morning.

Maybe his middle name is lamont. :)

It's always nice to know who were debating with on these blogs...

Happy You 2 have spoken and are going to get together since you seem to have a lot in common

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Sun, Dec 19, 2010, at 4:49 PM

! I could have told you both who he was. He's simply a good guy. As I said before, we haven't always agreed, but what fun would that be?

I haven't always agreed with Mike, or MsM, but that's part of how we all are. I believe us all to be good folks, and that's perfect for a recipe.